Turning Green into Gold

Is it in poor taste to incorporate green initiatives into your business solely to increase profitability? For years, “green” companies have been heralded for their commitment to protecting the earth, but what has been lost in translation, or rarely touted, is the financial gain from recycling, energy conservation and data center efficiency.

The third annual Sustainability and Innovation Executive Study, producedby MIT Sloan Management Review and the Boston Consulting Group, found that many of the 3000 corporate leaders who participated believe that earth-centric initiatives have added to their company’s profitability. In fact, the simple act of recycling can go a long way to improving a business’ financial health.

Going Green
According to Reduce.org, the average American worker uses 10,000 sheets of copy paper annually. Citigroup found “if each employee used double-sided copying to conserve just one sheet of paper each week, the firm would save $700,000 each year.”

Becoming green also builds morale says a study by the Charlton College of Business at the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth. “Employees are more likely to be satisfied with their jobs if they work for a company that’s perceived to be environmentally friendly.”

Recycling is one of the most popular green initiatives, but for designers there are several things that might be incorporated into a daily routine that can also save thousands of dollars, such as proofing copy on the computer instead of a printout and emailing drafts and contracts to save on postage and paper. Limiting color printouts can ensure that ink cartridges go a long way.

“You can be green, and at the same time get the best out of production to benefit your business through innovation, cost savings, and increased customer loyalty and attraction,” says the publisher.

Inside the book, you’ll find checklists and workflow diagrams to better integrate green initiatives into your business as well as how to calculate your green credentials. Once calculated, you can then communicate your environmental accomplishments with your clients, prospects and the industry as a whole.

The book is available for pre-order now. Included in your purchase is a DesignCast digital download class led by Anne Johnson, director of Sustainable Packaging Coalition at GreenBlue. This free DesignCast is a $69.99 value that offers advice on a package’s lifecycle with case studies to illustrate how to use renewable materials.